HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-11-05, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2009.
Ken Hunking sent a note regarding
the Beckett Family which
entertained at the Londesborough
United Church recently. If you
enjoyed the show that evening and
would like to attend another of their
shows or perhaps you missed that
great musical event, you might keep
this note in mind:
The Beckett Family present New
Year’s Eve with the Beckett Family
at the Roxy Theatre in Owen Sound
on Dec. 31 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
The local food bank is in dire need
of non-perishable food items. There
will be a donation box in the narthex
of Londesborough United Church
for the next two weeks. Please
consider dropping in an item or two.
The Sunday school invites
everyone to join them for a swim
next Saturday, Nov. 7 at 4:30 p.m. at
the Vanastra Community Centre.
Call any Sunday school teacher for
information.
Call Erica at 519-526-7277 to
register and for info about the Rural
Cafe gathering at the church
following the service on Nov. 8.
Anyone wishing to renew or have
a new subscription to the UC
Observer magazine is asked to
contact Margaret Wright at 519-482-
9826. Price for one year is $15. It’s a
great way to learn what is happening
in your church all across Canada.
The Alzheimer Society of Huron
County hosted Dementia 2009, an
Evening of Education at the Betty
Cardno Centre in Clinton on
Wednesday, Oct. 28. Dr. Geoffrey
Daniel was the guest speaker. His
topic that evening was Dementia -
What Type - What To Do - What’s
New.
Dr. Daniel is a graduate of the
University of Toronto’s medical
school with training in geriatric
psychiatry. He works with outreach
teams and started service delivery
models such as consultation clinics
in care facilities and encouragesinter-agency partnering to assurewith the best possible care forpersons dementia.He has been director ofgeropsychiatry inpatient assessmentand treatment service at theHomewood Health Centre andserved on the board of the Guelph-Wellington Alzheimer’s Society.
Dr. Daniel stated that the
development of Alzheimer disease
starts decades before it becomes
apparent in behaviour. How to stop
or slow the accumulation of the
plaques and tangles in the brain and
prevent cell atrophy is the issue. If
the onset of Alzheimer’s can be
prevented for even five years, that
means affected persons could have a
better quality of life for longer.
Education into the disease is so
important. He stated one should
always talk prevention. A major
cause of Alzheimer disease is head
injury at any age. This makes the
wearing of head protection an
important issue. Keeping the grey
cells working throughout life is
another important factor. More
formal education has a bearing on
the disease but Dr. Daniel advocates
ongoing learning and mind games
are also important. Other authorities
in this field stress the importance of
good nutrition.
Alzheimer disease is only one of
the dementias recognized today.
Others include Vascular, Lewy Body,
and Frontal Lobe. Alzheimer’s was
thought to be the most common.
However research notes each have
unique symptoms and share some
symptoms with others.
Now they talk about mixed
dementia, for example, Alzheimer’s
in combination with another. Ergo it
is important to have the affected
person tested and the family
involved in the doctor/patient
discussion.
Dr. Daniel made reference to the
three Ds which he treats in his
practice - dementia, delirium and
depression. Delirium is noted in
specific dementias but depression
can go hand in hand, understandably,
with any dementia and particularly
Alzheimer’s. Late-life stressors, for
example, loss of a partner, can lead
to depression which may trigger the
progression of dementia.
It is important to be aware of the
early signs of dementia and Dr.Daniel noted that what he calledfunctional performance errorsshould raise ‘red flags’ for familymembers and care givers. The earliera patient can take action against theprogression of the disease, the better. He spoke about the Triple Therapyin Dementia – prevent thepreventable, treat the treatable and
care for the caregivers. Dr. Daniel is
an advocate of day programs; he
feels they are important for both the
patient and the caregiver.
Early medications can slow the
rate of decline for a time. However
the development of drugs to prevent
or cure dementia is not going well.
Present day medical treatments can
only help with the treatment of the
various stages.
As to what to do when dealing
with dementias, either in a home
environment or a long term care
facility, is to recognize that
‘behaviour has meaning’. It becomes
necessary to step back and assess
what may have triggered the
behaviour, especially if it is a new
behaviour. Persons in care facilities
were reminded of the term ‘PIECES’
when assessing behaviour, PIECES
is an anagram for all the areas
needing consideration when
determining treatment and reasons
for behaviour. Sometimes the
simplest test suggests treatment
which ‘cures’ the behaviour. Giving
consideration to the whole person
can make their care easier as well.
Staff in care facilities can also
implement the DOS system. DOS
stands for Dementia Observational
System – staff members chart patient
behaviour over a 24 hour period.
This system helps to identify
patterns and triggers for the
behaviours. Then cues can be used to
deal with unacceptable behaviours
and trigger better ones. It was
suggested by Dr. Daniel that the
approach one uses with a dementia
sufferer may determine the response.
Distraction is another tool to calm
the person. Similarly care givers can
use the same tactics.
The best quality of life that can be
experienced by a person with
dementia is essential as their world
shrinks. Again it can be stressed that
education about this disease is vital.
There were in the room that evening
persons who are dealing with
affected family members andemployees of care facilities. Allwould have benefitted from Dr.Daniel’s talk. He reinforced the carethey are presently giving and offeredsome new suggestions.On a personal note I sat therethinking, ‘If only I had known 12years ago what I know now, life forour family could have been so much
better.’
That is why education is so
important. Understanding what is
happening opens the blinds to better
care.
We are fortunate to have so many
caring and supportive persons
working in the Huron County office
of the Alzheimer Society. I
encourage you to seek help if you are
concerned about a friend or family
member. Take that first step. They
have the knowledge and information
to make life easier.
At the end of September pupils at
Hullett Central Public School voted
to elect the members of this year’s
student council. President for the
2009-2010 school year is Jason S.
and Valerie W. is the vice-president.
Lexi A. was elected secretary.
The executive for the SAC for this
school year includes chair, Robert
Hunking; secretary, Missy Gibbings
and treasurer, Julie Wright.
Robert has forwarded some items
from the most recent SAC meeting
that the public might find
interesting. The SAC was the
sponsor for the Terry Fox Run on
Oct. 2. The weather forced the run
indoors to the gym but raised $1,424
for the fight against cancer.
The group decided April 16 would
be the date for the next school
auction and community fun night.
As a way to thank the farming
community that supports Hullett
the night will have a farm
theme.
For a number of years now Hullett
has been following a monthly study
into character attributes. In the
school’s monthly newsletter are
suggestions for ways to incorporate
that attribute into a child’s life both
at home and at school. Classroom
discussions are had around
situations that arise with pupils in
the course of an ordinary day and
how the persons involved can apply
the attribute.
Parents are encouraged to do the
same be it at home or out in the
community. Empathy: Everyone has
a story; M indful; P romotes peace;
A lways caring; T eaches
understanding; H onest communi-
cation; Y ou are the key.
In October, understanding,
compassion, charity, sensitivity and
concern are words synonymous with
empathy that help children develop
this trait into their personality.
It was noted that in October, the
month of giving thanks, a family
might make an extra effort to donate
to a local food bank.
Empathy extends to the wider
world as well. Children need to
achieve some understanding about
world issues and gain an
appreciation of diversity.
Environmental issues were also a
part of the discussions for caring for
one’s world shows concern and
empathy for the lives of future
generations.
NEWS
FROM LONDESBORO
Yum!
The pancakes were on the griddle last weekend in Auburn
as the Lions hosted one of their popular breakfasts. Greg
Park was on cooking duty while his fellow Lions toiled away
back in the kitchen cooking eggs and hash browns. (Shawn
Loughlin photo)
By BRENDARADFORDCall 523-4296PEOPLE AROUND LONDESBORO
News around Hullett PS
By Brittany Nigh
Despite the rather dreary weather
of late, there has been no end to the
spirit that St. Anne’s students have
shown this past week.
With Wednesday being a civies
day, many took the opportunity to
show off some of their favourite
Halloween costumes. Others saved
their surprise outfits for the dance,
which also saw a lot of costumes.
Although final totals have not been
counted, St. Anne’s students have
been collecting canned food for
Halloween for Hunger. This will
help local Food Banks throughout
the upcoming months.
St. Anne’s had its most successful
regional WOSSAA cross country
championship to date, and will be
sending the senior boys, senior girls,
and junior girls to provincials next
weekend.
The drama club’s play will be
presented in February, so stay tuned
for when ticket sales begin.
As November rolls around, many
anticipate the upcoming hockey
season. Many Eagles coaches are
anticipating strong results in Huron-
Perth and beyond. Season games
begin soon so keep reading for when
you can catch the Eagles skating at
the rink, soaring on the stage, or
succeeding in the classroom.
Happenings at
St. Anne’s CSS